Scenes from the Brooks PR Invitational

California's Cami Chapus ran away with the victory in the 800m (2:10.69) at the second annual Brooks PR Invitational on Feb. 26 at the University of Washington’s Dempsey Indoor facility in Seattle.

To ensure the highest level of competition possible, Brooks sent out invites to the top athletes in sprint, hurdles, middle-distance and distance events. In all, the meet included about 120 athletes from 26 states and Canada. (Not all states allow runners to compete in unsanctioned events during the season.)

Each of the competing athletes was treated to Brooks running gear, including a racing kit, warm-up clothes, a pair of training shoes and a pair of racing spikes.

Athletes stayed in the Hyatt in downtown Seattle. The third floor mezzanine and ball rooms were converted to a virtual Brooks PR Invitational race headquarters and included a game room, movie lounge and dining area for athletes.

Athletes like Texas sprinter Jennifer Madu had plenty of time to acquaint with other athletes during meals and free time at the hotel. Group shake-out runs were led by Brooks athletes Angela Bizzarri, Amy Hastings, Ryan Vail and Desiree Davila at Green Lake Park in Seattle.

The Dempsey Indoor facility on the University of Washington campus has developed a reputation for producing fast times at all levels from high school to the professional ranks. In the days preceding the Brooks PR meet, top college athletes competed in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships, which included Arizona’s Lawi Lalang running a 7:44.48 in the 3,000m and several runners breaking 4 minutes for the mile.

This year’s Brooks PR Invitational had compelling races in every event. Here Levonte Whitfield out-leans Tatum Taylor and Leshon Collins to win the boys’ 60m dash finals. Later New Jersey’s Najee Glass would win the boys’ 400m in 46.06 over Texas’ Aldrich Bailey (46.07) in the second- and third-fastest indoor times, respectively, in U.S. high school history. On the college level this year, only University of Georgia senior Torrin Lawrence (46.01) has run faster.

The amazing thing about the meet was the incredible depth it featured in almost every event. There were 10-12 runners in the thick of things in every middle-distance and distance race, including this one, the boys’ 800m run. Canadian Tyler Smith, the only junior in the field, won the race in 1:51.83.

The Brooks PR Invitational was a first-class event. It included a University of Washington drum corps, cheerleaders and a Jumbotron broadcast of every event. Here runners in the boys’ mile are just about to wind things up as West Virginia’s Jacob Burcham moves into the lead.

Connecticut’s Dan Vertiz, the runner-up at last fall’s NXN meet, put in a second-half surge to win the boys’ 2-mile in 8:59.15. Second-place finisher Jake Leingang also broke the 9-minute mark with an 8:59.66 effort. All 14 runners in the field ran 9:18 or faster.

Just as she did at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in December, Michigan's Erin Finn (No. 5) took the early lead in the girls' 2-mile and set the pace. But just at it happened at Foot Locker, Wisconsin’s Molly Seidel (No. 4) took charge and went on to win the race. The junior ran a 10:13.45, edging Delaware's Haley Pierce by a second.

The top three finishers in each event received their awards on the podium from Brooks pro runners. Here Connecticut’s Kellie Davis gets her third-place 800m medal from 2012 U.S. Olympic marathoner Desiree Davila.

The girls’ mile field was loaded with talent, which is why there was a tightly bunched pack of girls in contention with five laps to go. Michigan’s Hannah Meier took an early lead and it looked like the pack might catch her, but she held on the for the win in 4:43.28.

Haley Meier talks to ESPN HS reporter Doug Binder after placing third in the girls’ mile in 4:48.10. Her twin sister, Hannah (right), won the race in 4:43.28, while Washington’s Amy Eloise-Neal was second in 4:44:03.

The performance of the night went to Ohio’s Donovan Robertson, who scorched the boys' 60m hurdles in 7.57 to set a new U.S. high school record. Runner-up Dondre Echols of Maryland ran strong, but he was a distant second at 7.79. Colorado's Dior Hall (left) won the girls' 60m hurdles in 8.28.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Runner's World participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.